Energy Independance on PEI

Marc Vermette

PEI sources approximately 60% of its electricity from New Brunswick, primarily via an underwater cable.

Summerside is a city of 16,000 on Prince Edward Island. For decades, they’ve relied on this imported electricity.

Electricity generation by source in PEI. A total of 0.65 TW.h of electricity was generated in 2019 (left) and end-use energy demand in PEI by sector (right). Total end-use energy demand was 25.6 PJ in 2018.

However, PEI has abundant renewable energy available, primarily from wind and solar.A new project in Summerside is healping wean the island off imported electricity.

The ‘Summerside Sunbank’ under construction. Image credits to Volatus Aerospace.

The ‘Summerside Sunbank,’ shown above, is expected to supply 25% of the city’s electricity demand upon completion in late 2022.

“When residents can see where the money has gone, it gives you a better social licence to continue to build.” says the mayor. “A municipality is no different than any other business. If you’re not moving ahead, you’re moving back.”

Graphs from CER. Original Article